Workers protest outside Dublin's Savoy Cinema

Members of SIPTU protested outside Dublin's Savoy Cinema yesterday over what they say are changes to work practices and a cut in pay for certain staff.

The protest was not an official industrial action and was taken by staff in their personal time.

SIPTU Organiser, Graham Macken, said: “The decision by staff to mount a public protest resulted from the company’s announcement that it intends to discontinue the Usher Grade and its refusal to consider any redeployment options for the staff affected. This is despite management having previously agreed to the redeployment of workers affected by other changes.

“Staff who currently undertake ushers' duties on an agreed rate of €12 per hour have been informed that they will in future be paid only €9 per hour. Staff have refused to accept this cut in pay and the company has now contracted security workers to carry out the duties previously performed by directly employed staff.”

He added: “SIPTU representatives are willing to meet with management in an attempt to reach an agreed solution to these issues. However, the unilateral actions of the company have resulted in extreme frustration and annoyance among the workers. Staff felt they had no option but to mount today’s public protest to highlight their unfair treatment.

“Today’s action was the first of a number of planned protests that the workers intend to carry out if management refuses to reverse cuts and changes to work practices.”